Planned Scientology circus lacks license - 1987-02-11

The Church of Scientology, which plans to hold a circus in downtown Clearwater on Saturday, doesn't have the required licenses, city officials said Tuesday. The circus, scheduled to be held across from Coachman Park at the church's Sandcastle Hotel, is to include elephant rides, horses, clowns, big cats and face painting. Complying with the city's licensing regulations in time for a Saturday opening may be a problem. The Clearwater City Commission must approve the occupational licenses that circuses are required to get to operate, said Carole Greiner, Clearwater's chief of general services. The commission doesn't meet this week. Circuses are required to pay a fee of $375 a day in addition to getting commission approval, Ms. Greiner said. Violating the code could bring a fine of up to $250 a day by the city's municipal code-enforcement board.